Shop Windows to the Universe

Franklin Chang-Diaz

Franklin Chang-Diaz is an American astronaut who was born on April 5,
1950, in Costa Rica. Before he became an astronaut, Chang-Diaz was an
engineer in physics.

Chang-Diaz became an astronaut in 1980. He was the first
Hispanic-American to travel in space. He has spent over 1033 hours in
space on 5 spaceflights.

In 1986, Chang-Diaz flew aboard space shuttle Columbia. The crew put a
satellite into orbit. Chang-Diaz made his second spaceflight aboard
STS-34 in 1989. This mission launched the spacecraft Galileo. Galileo
travelled to Jupiter and is gathering data about the planet.

In 1992, he made his third flight aboard STS-46. The crew conducted the
first Tethered Satellite System test. In 1994, Chang-Diaz flew aboard
STS-60. This mission was the
first joint U.S./Russian Space Shuttle mission.

In 1996, Chang-Diaz made his last flight aboard STS-75. The crew made a
reflight of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS). The TSS successfully
proved that tethers can produce electricity in space. It also provided
new information about plasma physics. Unfortunately, the tether broke
19.7 km out.

You might also be interested in:

How did life evolve on Earth? The answer to this question can help us understand our past and prepare for our future. Although evolution provides credible and reliable answers, polls show that many people turn away from science, seeking other explanations with which they are more comfortable....more

Andrew Allen is an American astronaut who was born on August 4, 1955 in Pennsylvania. Before he became an astronauts, Allen was a Navy and Marines pilot. He has flown 30 different airplanes. Allen became...more

Jay Apt is an American astronaut who was born on April 28, 1949 in Massachusetts. Before he became an astronaut, Apt was a physicist who studied the solar system. In 1986, Apt became an astronaut. He...more

Neil Armstrong is an American astronaut who was born in Ohio in 1930. In July of 1969, he made history by becoming the first person to walk on the moon. Before entering the space program, Armstrong was...more

Ellen Baker is an American astronaut who was born on April 27, 1953 in North Carolina. Before she became an astronaut she was a geologist and a medical doctor. Baker joined NASA as a medical officer in...more

Michael Baker is an American astronaut who was born on October 27, 1953 in Tennessee. Before he became an astronaut, Baker was a Navy pilot. He flew over 5000 hours aboard 50 different types of aircraft....more

John Blaha is an American astronaut who was born on August 26, 1942 in Texas. Before he became an astronaut, Blaha was an Air Force pilot. He has flown over 5500 hours in 33 different types of aircraft....more

Guion Bluford is an American astronaut who was born on November 22, 1942 in Pennsylvania. Before he became an astronaut, Bluford was a pilot for the Air Force. He flew over 4800 hours on several different...more